Thread: ESCONDIDO CA : Latinos Now Outnumber White

REGION: Latinos now outnumber whites in Escondido, Vista

New data highlight need to bridge cultural, economic divides

By DAVID GARRICK - dgarrick@nctimes.com
North County Times - Californian |
Posted: Sunday, September 19, 2010 12:00 pm


Two women push their babies in strollers as they walk along North Santa Fe Avenue in Vista last week. New estimates show that Latinos outnumber whites for the first time in Vista and Escondido.

New demographic estimates show that Latinos outnumber whites in Escondido and Vista, making them the first two cities in North County where whites are no longer the largest racial group.

Leaders in both cities said the new estimates, which were released recently by the county's regional planning agency, highlight the need to ease tensions between Latinos and whites by bridging some stark cultural, economic and geographic divisions.

They said improving education for young Latinos, stressing the importance of learning English and creating more high-paying jobs for immigrants could help residents in the two cities become more united.

"It's more clear than ever that we're not going back to the way things were, so we need to embrace these changes and get to know our neighbors," Escondido Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler said. "Creating more education and employment opportunities will also be key to bridging geographic divides."

Fredi Avalos, a member of Vista Citizens for Responsible Government, said the new data make it more crucial than ever for Vista's leaders to become more welcoming toward Latinos. She said the city's racial and geographic divisions resemble apartheid in South Africa, and that things must change.

"The city is in dire need of some new approaches," said Avalos. "We need to set up some way for Latinos and whites to have coffee together."

Significant demographic changes began in the two cities between 1990 and 2000, when the number of Latinos tripled in both cities while the number of whites declined. But in 2000, whites still outnumbered Latinos by more than 17,000 residents in Escondido and by nearly 10,000 residents in Vista.

The steady tide of immigration continued, however, and Latinos outnumber whites in both cities for the first time this year.

The new data, which are based on births, deaths, migration patterns and other factors, estimate that Escondido has 67,213 Latino residents and 65,042 whites. Escondido's 148,000 residents are 46 percent Latino, 44 percent white, 5 percent Asian, 2 percent black and 3 percent other, according to the new estimates, which were released Aug. 30.

Partly because a greater percentage of Escondido's Latinos are young people, population estimates for 2020 predict the gap will widen to 51 percent Latino versus 38 percent white.

In Vista, the new estimates for 2010 show 43,325 Latinos and 42,960 whites. Vista's 98,000 residents are 44 percent Latino, 44 percent white, 4 percent Asian, 4 percent black and 4 percent other, according to the new estimates.

In 2020, analysts predict Vista will be 47 percent Latino and 41 percent white.

The only other North County city where whites make up less than 50 percent of the population is Oceanside. But whites still outnumber Latinos there 86,570 to 64,693, making Oceanside 47 percent white and 35 percent Latino. In San Marcos, whites make up 51 percent of the population and Latinos account for 38 percent.

Latinos are less prominent elsewhere in North County. Carlsbad is 76 percent white and 14 percent Latino; Encinitas is 74 percent white and 18 percent Latino; and Poway is 71 percent white and 13 percent Latino.

The new data do not distinguish between legal and illegal immigrants, because there is no reliable way to do so, said Beth Jarosz, a senior analyst for the regional planning agency, which is known as the San Diego Association of Governments.

Shifts prompt legislation

Spurred by a rapid influx of immigrants, Escondido and Vista both passed legislation in 2006 that critics characterized as anti-immigrant and possibly anti-Latino.

That year, Escondido tried to prohibit landlords from renting to illegal immigrants, but that legislation was successfully challenged in court. Meanwhile, Vista adopted an ordinance in 2006 forcing people who hire day laborers to register with the city.

Escondido Councilwoman Olga Diaz, who in 2008 became the only Latino woman elected to public office in the city's 122-year history, said such legislation was clearly a reaction to angst over changing demographics.

She speculated that the new numbers must be frightening to people who supported those 2006 laws.

"It's probably a dark moment for people who feel threatened by diversity," said Diaz. "But I don't think anyone should be alarmed by the numbers. The alarming thing is that so few Latinos are in leadership positions, based on our percentage of the population."

Diaz said more Latinos should be on local city councils and school boards, and that city managers should make it a higher priority to hire Latinos.

"Our leaders need to understand that there will always be tension unless Latinos are brought to the table," she said.

But Escondido Councilman Sam Abed, who supported the rental ban legislation, said many of Escondido's Latinos are not yet involved in the political process because they are either undocumented or too young.

Thirty-six percent of Escondido's Latinos are under age 18, while only 20 percent of whites are that young, according to the new estimates.

Abed also said opponents of illegal immigration typically have no problem with legal immigrants so long as they try to learn English and assimilate into the population.

"The burden of assimilation is on the immigrants themselves," he said. "That will help us do a better job as a city of bridging the cultural and economic gap."

Mike Spencer, a Vista activist against illegal immigration, said he only objects to people who come to this country illegally and "sponge off the system."

Spencer said the new estimates highlight the need to make sure new immigrants in the area are legal.

"I would hope these increases reflect the arrival of loyal American citizens who respect our culture and laws," he said. "I don't know anyone who isn't color-blind when it comes to legal citizens."

Education and jobs

Pfeiler, the Escondido mayor, said Latinos will probably continue to live in separate neighborhoods and have relatively little interaction with whites until they get better access to education and higher-paying jobs.

Escondido and Vista have been in eighth and ninth place for median income among the nine cities in North County for several years running.

"Having a good job, which typically requires a good education, will create more mobility by allowing more Latinos to choose where they live," Pfeiler said.

Danny Perez, a Latino activist in Escondido, said there are reasons to be optimistic about Pfeiler's ideas.

He said many second-generation Latinos are putting more emphasis on education and going to college, and he said such people are more upbeat about assimilation.

"Most new immigrants come in with deep roots and a strong sense of identity," said Perez, explaining that those attitudes make assimilation more difficult. "But most second-generation immigrants view themselves as just Americans."

Aiming to help with assimilation, Cal State San Marcos has established programs across North County that guarantee university admission to low-income and Latino students who meet certain criteria.

Perez hailed such efforts to help Latinos get educated.

But he also warned those who refuse to embrace North County's growing diversity.

"People are going to have to adjust to these changes, move away or lead a very lonely existence," he said.

Call staff writer David Garrick at 760-740-5468.

So does that mean that white people can now calim minority status and and can now sign up for all the things minorities get? NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Diaz said more Latinos should be on local city councils and school boards, and that city managers should make it a higher priority to hire Latinos

And how many are here ILLEGALLY?

Here we go again. THEY WANT....

But he also warned those who refuse to embrace North County's growing diversity.

"People are going to have to adjust to these changes, move away or lead a very lonely existence," he said.

Sounds like a threat to the gemeral public to me

Give San Diego 40 years, and it will all look just like Los Angeles.......unless we change things of course.

Originally Posted by uniteasone

Diaz said more Latinos should be on local city councils and school boards, and that city managers should make it a higher priority to hire Latinos

And how many are here ILLEGALLY?

Here we go again. THEY WANT....
[quote:1z5qmddg]But he also warned those who refuse to embrace North County's growing diversity.

"People are going to have to adjust to these changes, move away or lead a very lonely existence," he said.

Sounds like a threat to the gemeral public to me[/quote:1z5qmddg]

It DOES sound like a threat, like we're being coerced or coaxed into leaving our homes so latinos can live in america alone. Ridiculous!

But he also warned those who refuse to embrace North County's growing diversity.

"People are going to have to adjust to these changes, move away or lead a very lonely existence," he said.

I will NEVER "embrace" so called "diversity" achieved through illegal immigration! That picture above it all too common here in Orange County as well! So you can take your so called "warning" and shove it!

I don't care what color the majority of people are or become , all I care about is legal status.